Park Committee Pushes for first developed Park in Dallesport
Members of the Dallesport-Murdoc Park Committee enjoy a moment with a neighbor and her two Golden Retrievers this morning, Aug. 22. The land to develop a 5.5 acre park in Dallesport sits in the foreground.
By Tom Peterson
Dallesport, Wash., Aug. 22, 2025 — For decades, the promise of a developed public park in Dallesport has lingered as an unfulfilled dream. Today, that dream is closer to reality, thanks to years of grassroots advocacy and a renewed push to make recreation a countywide priority.
The proposed Dallesport Community Park would sit on a 5.5-acre parcel at Sixth Avenue and D Street, land originally deeded to Klickitat County in 1946 with the intention of becoming a park. That promise stalled for generations, but since 2022, local residents have been organizing to bring the site to life.
Here is the location of the 5.5 acres that has been designated by Klickitat County for a park. Currently the site is raw land, but locals are pushing to develop the site with public restrooms and as a gathering place for the Dallesport-Murdoc communities.
“This would be a nice community meeting place,” said Liz Clark who has helped lead the effort. “There is no community without community space.”
Community Momentum
The Dallesport–Murdock Park Committee — made up of Ann Slead, Liz Clark and Lynne Kadlec.
The Dallesport–Murdock Park Committee — made up of Clark, Ann Slead and Lynne Kadlec — has spent years making the case for a park. They toured facilities in Trout Lake, Glenwood and Wishram for inspiration, then went door-to-door in their own neighborhoods, gathering 326 signatures in support.
“Other communities in Klickitat County all have a park. Why not us?” Kadlec asked.
“And we have the land,” Slead added.
Their message is resonating, but there remains much work to be completed. The community has already raised more than $5,000 through local fundraisers, while high school students and contractors have pledged time and tools to help build. Residents say the need is clear: there is no public restroom in Dallesport, and no designated space for children or families to gather outdoors.
The proposed site sits between residential areas and an orchard, a location supporters say offers safety and visibility. “There are a lot of eyes on this park so parents can feel comfortable letting their kids come here,” Kadlec said.
Plans and Obstacles
Klickitat County posted rules for the 5.5 acres of park land several years ago.
The vision for the park is ambitious: a playground, pavilion, skate park, splash pad, pickleball and basketball courts, exercise equipment, picnic areas, restrooms, a dog park, a community garden and even space for a camp host. Leaders acknowledge the project is large and would have to be built in phases.
But funding remains the largest hurdle. Most grants require Klickitat County to have an up-to-date comprehensive plan that includes recreation priorities. The county’s plan is years overdue, preventing applications to agencies like the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office.
To address this, a new “committee of councils” has formed under Pat Arnold of Trout Lake, uniting representatives from across Klickitat County. The group includes local leaders as well as county officials such as Commissioner Todd Andrews, Public Works Director Jeff Hunter, Planning Director Scott Edelman and Senior Planner Evan Evangelopoulos.
“We now have a collaborative voice and a shared goal — completing the recreation portion of the county’s comprehensive plan,” Clark said. “That’s essential for unlocking the grants that will bring our park to life.”
What Comes Next
The park committee continues to explore other funding routes, including partnerships with the school district or private investors who could bypass planning restrictions. But ultimately, advocates say success depends on a strong partnership with Klickitat County, which owns the land.
“We need their help,” Clark said. “Our next step is to get the money for a grant to formally plan out the park so we can submit a design to county planning. We are looking for assistance to help with grants.”
The group held out hope that businesses or developers would be willing to support the idea financially.
You can reach clark at: clarklizzy@hotmail.com
Community involvement will also play a key role. Many grant applications require public participation through meetings, surveys and documented feedback.
“When we ask for input, please speak up,” Clark urged. “Your voice matters and helps move this project forward.”
With about 1,400 people living in Dallesport, supporters say a park would not only fill a long-standing need but also become a centerpiece for community life.
